Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-04-27
Gales aud Sketthes.
THE WOLF-CHARMER.
CONTINUED from Yesterday


dangerous fellow. prisoner was an enor
nous gray wolf whose quaint sides spoke
OF hunger which would afford him small
hope of escape should his music not sue
coed in exercising the hoped for charm
over it. He PLAYED on with the energy of
despair. Although it was early spring,
and the snow nearly all melted away, it
was still bitterly cold. The poor boys
fingers soon got 80 chilled that they could
not long hold the bow. Still he fiddled
bravely on. his terrible companion only
giving vent from time to time to an I'M
easy growl. alternating with a long,
melancholy howl. These sounds. how
ever horrible in themselves, were pleasant
to Iwan's ears, as showing him that his
music was having the desired effect. But
the hours went past, the dawn was break
ing. and the poor bows hands were so be
numbed that he noticed. to his horror.
that the tones were getting broken and
even sometimes refused to come at all.
God help me.' he thought. sit get
quite powerless before anyone comes to
my help! My poor father and Marscba!
what will they say if never come home?
And thought to make them 80 happy
with the money | have earned to-night!'
This thought nerved his arm once more.
But be felt it could not be for long His
strength was leaving him fast.
1t was now broad daylight. The rum
bile OF wagon was heard from the road.
Hope put new lie into Iwan's bow. He
drew it across the strings so as to produce
the highest notes which he knew would
be the most piercing. accompanying them
ho chvin OF tho RI of hic uni0o
The rumbling ceased. In few min
utes kindly, weather beaten face was
seen peering over the mouth of the pit.
''Well. my lad.' said the man, recogniz
ing Ivan, whose passion for music and
his fathers resolve not to make him a
fiddler were we'll known. you've chosen
an odd place in which to practice forbid
den arts. How came you herep"
Don't stop to ask. Look at my com
rade. Run for a gum" painted the boy,
still fiddling desperately.
"Mercy on us! You have an unchancy
companion. and no mistake" cried the
man, now perceiving the brute. "Hold
on bit longer. l will be back in a
jffv"
He was turning away. At that moment
another man appeared He had gun on
his shoulder. 1t was Stephen Hurla, the
owner OF the pit. He came on with great
angry strides.
what is that ?' he said "Who is
fiddling down there in my pitp"
"Now that is what call coming in the
nick Of time," cried the WAGNER "Iwan
Tronski is down there with wolf If
you don't make quick work of the brute
with your gun he'll soon make short work
of poor IVAN"
1.-The fiddler's son However did he
get down therep"
Without waiting for an answer he ran
to the pit and looked down. The bow
had just fallen from the poor boys nerve
less fingers. Forgetful of the danger of
taking his eyes off the creature, he stopped
to pick it up. Freed from both spells that
held it hitherto, the wolf gave a wild
growl and sprang at him. Ivan gave him
self up for lost. Then a shot from the
hunters gun, directed by his practiced
eye, made the monster harmless forever
Ivan was taken out of the pit nearly as
dead as the wolf from sheer exhaustion.
A little brandy from the hunters flask
revived him. Then the wagner ga, g
him lift as far as the village.
1t was proud moment and a happy
one for him when, after telling his story,
he emptied the contents of his pockets in
to his wise little sisters lap, and heard
his father, with tears of thank tuness,
calling him the staff of his old age.
''And now, father" he concluded, "vou
will not forbid me any more to practice
the fiddle. am sure"
&c - I.
answer.
My story ought by rights to end here.
But there is sequel to it, for all that,
which | think must give, although Ivan
never encountered another such thrilling
adventure as that which followed on his
first entrance into public life.
1t was not long after this that hand
some carriage drove through the village,
and stopped at Carlovitz, the carpenters
door. A pleasant faced, middle aged gen.
t'eman got out. 1t was Count Foreback
from the castle, the great man of the place.
He asked to see Ivan Tronski. Ivan
came forward with quiet self possession.
"Stephen Hurla," said the Count. has
been telling me wonderful story of
boy who charmed wolf into patience by
playing the violin to him the whole night
Is it true. and are you hep"
Ivan bowed. Not the whole night. nv
lord only few hours" he said modestlv
"And quite enough too in such grisly
company" answered the nobleman, smil-
ing. You must be pluckv youngster
My daughters were so delighted with the
story when Stephen told it that they gave
me no rest until | promised to try to get
you TO play to them too. | don't think
they will be more difficult to charm than
the wolf What do you say? If you will
come back to the castle with me. will
make it worth your while, for your sick
fathers sake"
Il will come willingly" answered
Ivan, ''if nv master will spare me- But
indeed, sir, l am but a very poor player,
as | have had to learn all know in secret"
81 have heard of that too, my boy"
said the Count, who was himself musi-
cal enthusiast, land respect you for your
energy. Carlovitz will you give me the
boy for tonight"
The carpenters consent was readily
given to the great man. Ivan in his Sun
day best-and very modest best it was
rode in a carriage for the first time in his
life, scarcely able to realize his good for
tune. On arriving at the castle he was
given in charge to the housekeeper. who
petted and made much of him, and told
him stories OF her masters and the Young
ladies' goodness.
At length he was summoned to the
room. He was dazzled at first